As the use of smartphones becomes more ubiquitous, it is natural that various myths and misconceptions about their usage and maintenance have arisen. One of the areas that has seen a significant number of myths crop up is the charging of iPhone batteries. Some of these myths have been around for years, while others are more recent, but they all have one thing in common: they are simply not true.
In this article, we will explore common myths about iPhone battery charging and help you separate fact from fiction. So, if you have ever wondered whether it is bad to charge your iPhone overnight or if you should always let your iPhone battery reach zero before you charge it, keep reading!
Charging your iPhone overnight is bad for it
This is a classic myth that many people have heard at some point in their lives. The idea is that we should only ever be charging our iPhone when we can keep an eye on it, and we should remove it from the charger the moment it reaches full capacity to prevent it from overloading.
This myth is simply not true. Any quality, modern device, such as a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or smartwatch, is not going to overcharge, even if you leave it on the charger overnight.
Your iPhone has the smarts to know when your battery is full, and it will stop charging at that point. If the battery depletes while the phone is still on the charger, it will start charging again to top it up. Furthermore, modern iPhones also have a feature called optimised charging that helps to preserve the battery’s health. When optimised charging is enabled, your iPhone will immediately start charging when you plug it in, but if it knows that you have it plugged in overnight, it will only charge to around 80% initially and then finish charging closer to your waking time. This gradual charging is much better for your battery’s overall health than charging it to full capacity in one go.
You shouldn’t charge your phone under your pillow
This myth is true, but not necessarily for the reason that you might expect. Recharging a phone battery generates heat, and although it is not enough heat to set fire to your bedding, it can still cause damage to your battery over time. Heat is the number one enemy of modern lithium-ion batteries, and prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures can cause severe, permanent damage to the battery. This is why you should never leave your iPhone sitting in direct sunlight and why your iPhone will warn you if it begins to reach a dangerous temperature level. While charging your iPhone under your pillow might not reach dangerous temperatures, it is still a good idea to avoid exposing your battery to prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures.
You should always let your iPhone battery reach zero before you charge it
This myth is also not true. There is no need to let your iPhone battery reach zero before you charge it, and in fact, doing so can actually be bad for your battery’s health. Modern lithium-ion batteries have a limited number of charge cycles, and each time you discharge your battery to zero, you use up one of those cycles. Over time, this repeated discharge-charge cycle will cause your battery to degrade, and its capacity will decrease.
Airplane Mode Speeds Up Charging
One common myth is that putting your iPhone into Airplane mode will speed up the charging process. While it is true that disabling some functions may help the phone charge faster, it is generally not necessary. A good, fast charger should be able to quickly charge your phone without the need for Airplane mode. However, if you are power using your phone at the same time as charging, putting it into Airplane mode may help. Keep in mind, though, that this will render the phone elements of your phone useless, so it may not be worth it.
Batteries Have a Memory
Another common belief is that batteries have a memory and must be fully discharged before recharging. This is simply not true for modern, lithium-ion batteries. The concept of battery memory has been mixed up with battery health. You can check the health of your iPhone battery by going to the Battery section in the iPhone settings. The health of the battery can be affected by factors such as leaving the phone in the sun or using poor quality charging cables.
Low Power Mode Should be Used All the Time
A third myth is that you should use Low Power mode all the time. This is more of an opinion than a fact, but in general, it’s not necessary. Low Power mode switches off power-hungry features of the phone, including 5G data, display brightness, and background app refresh. While this may extend the life of the battery, it may also impact the overall iPhone experience. It is recommended to only use Low Power mode when your phone is low on power and you need to eek out a bit more juice.
Battery Health Decreases Over Time
It is true that the battery health of your iPhone will decrease over time. This is a normal part of the aging process and can be seen when Apple mentions that your iPhone battery will chemically age. The battery has a limited number of charge cycles before it can no longer be charged. If you notice that your older iPhone is not lasting as long as it used to, it may be time to get a new phone or a battery replacement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to charging your iPhone battery, there are many myths and misconceptions floating around. However, the truth is that charging your iPhone overnight is perfectly safe and does not cause harm to the battery. In fact, optimised charging can help extend the battery life by gradually charging the battery instead of a full high-speed charge. Similarly, charging your phone under your pillow is discouraged mainly because it generates heat which is not good for the battery health, but there is no harm in keeping the phone close to your head during the night.
To maintain the best health for your iPhone battery, it is always important to keep the battery level between 20% and 80% and avoid exposing it to extreme heat or cold. Also, keep in mind that iPhone batteries are designed to degrade over time and eventually lose their ability to hold a charge. If you notice that your iPhone battery drains faster or won’t hold a charge, it may be time to replace the battery.
In conclusion, do not worry about letting your iPhone battery reach zero before charging or keeping it on the charger overnight, but be mindful of exposing it to extreme heat and maintain a healthy battery level range.
I have always charged my phone up to a 100% every time, but sadly the battery health decreased to 80%, this was perfect timing Greg!! I literally took my phone out of the charger at a 100% and then I take it out to see you posting a video about this mistake, I’ll keep note of this in the future
In my experience, with multiple iphones, using the wireless charging capabilities, the battery life lasts way longer than when plugging it in with a lightning connector. The cycles do not diminish nearly as fast. I have a 2.5 year old XR and the battery health is still at 98% and I never charged it via lightning cable.